Zidane: “There have always been difficult moments at Real Madrid, we always overcome them”

Real Madrid have only won half of their matches so far in 2020/21, winning seven out of 14, so it hasn’t been the ideal start to the new campaign. But, Zinedine Zidane is confident that he and his players can turn the situation around.

Speaking on the eve of Real Madrid’s Tuesday night match against Shakhtar Donetsk, the Frenchman said: “There have always been difficult moments at Real Madrid. There were tough times too when I was a player. But, we’ve always overcome them. This has been a strange year with the injuries and the lack of pre-season, which has an influence, but the motivation is never lost at this club. The players know where they are and what is means to play for Real Madrid. When we lose, I never view it as a motivational issue.”

Previewing this crucial match against Shakhtar Donetsk, Zidane labelled this the biggest fixture of this group. He told the assembled media: “This is the most important match in the group because these three points can put us into the next round. That’s what we need to think about. It’s another final for us.”

Eden Hazard was brought up too, with the Belgian having just suffered his seventh injury since joining the club. The Belgian national team doctor Kris van Crombrugge suggested that stress could be causing problems for Hazard, but Zidane didn’t fully agree with that. Asked if there is a psychological element to the winger’s constant injuries, he replied: “No, he’s very strong. He’s frustrated, but injuries are happening at all teams. I have no doubts over Hazard and the player he is. I hope he can be back soon.”